Rise of Evil Genius

Look back… HITLER was a genius, with instinct, an other world mystic, about whom the philosopher Hegel might have written, “nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.” Hitler said: “Political parties are inclined to compromise; philosophies never. Political parties even reckon with opponents; philosophies proclaim their infallibility.” By 1928, in both his speeches and writings, with words, “iron fist, mortal peril, men stoned for taking an action, posterity, thank them on its knees, the leader feels afraid, salvation comes, renew a world,” Hitler presents himself as a man in a universe of idealistic intensity. By 1928, the Nazis only polled 810,000 supporters in the Reichstag, only 12 deputies out of 491, only about 1 in 10 were true fighters, about 120,000. Hitler committed numerous crimes in his early period, including acts of treason against the republic, but he attacked the Constitution on the basis that it was irretrievably tainted by “November Criminals.” ( the Marxist enemy, the scapegoat). If Marxism wins, he would say, “we recognize quite clearly that … we will be annihilated … But if we win, Marxism will be annihilated… we will not rest until the …last Marxist (is) converted or exterminated.” Eventually the Jew would be added to Hitler’s endangered species list. Hitler subjected audiences to late, dramatic, sudden entrances and then almost invariably would begin his speech with historical background and reminiscence, “usually lingering on the legend of his rise.” His tone was certain and prophetic, religious not political. Goebbels, described his leader as “the fulfillment of a mysterious longing, bringing faith in deepest despair.” Then in 1933, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. Nazism was not a silent minority. Its embodiment, Hitler, who was ruthless and with unshakeable resolve, captured the spirit of the ‘moment’ in Germany in 1933 and the rest is history. Don’t shades of the past keep rearing their ugly heads today?